THE 20th Davao City Council passed on third and final reading the more than P400-million Supplemental Budget No. 3 (SB3) on Thursday morning, December 12, 2024, at the Sangguniang Panlungsod.
Proposed by Councilor Myrna Dalodo-Ortiz, chair of the Finance, Ways, and Means Committee, SB3 for the Calendar Year 2024 amounts to P433,928,192.87. This amount will be allocated to the Development Fund, with P357,085,711.87 (82.3 percent of the supplemental appropriations), and to the General Fund Proper, with P76,852,481 (17 percent of the budget).
SB3 is funded from two sources: the surplus from Calendar Year 2023 operations and the reversion of appropriations. The majority of the reversions come from the Development Fund, worth P244,884,790.52, while the General Fund contributes P58,590,581 to the reversion.
From the General Fund Proper, the City Mayor’s Office (CMO) will receive the largest share with P57,500,000 for its two sub-offices and programs. Of this amount, the Davao City Treatment and Rehabilitation Center for Drug Dependents (DCTRCD) will receive an augmentation of P3,500,000 for the purchase of motor vehicles.
In the committee report, DCTRCD Officer-in-Charge Dr. Michelle Buscato-Schlosser explained that the vehicles would be used for patient transportation and procurement of supplies for the center. She added that although the center has some vehicles, they are insufficient to meet its daily operational demands.
Under the Development Fund, the City Administrator’s Office is appropriated P105,993,360 for the implementation of the Davao Interim Bus Service (DIBS), an initiative by the City Government of Davao aimed at augmenting the city's public transport during peak hours. Of this amount, P100,000,000 will be used to purchase 10 standard buses with a capacity of 93 passengers (31 seated and 62 standing).
The bulk of the Development Fund will be allocated to infrastructure projects, such as the reconstruction or renovation of buildings and other structures. The fund will also cover road networks, water supply systems, power supply systems, flood control systems, and other land improvements. These projects will be implemented across the city's three legislative districts.
Ortiz said during the "Aprubado sa Konseho" on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, that SB3 was pushed for the office of the CMO to address the needs of Dabawenyos. She also said that the bulk of the infrastructure projects were the result of the Barangay Caravan led by Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte.
Meanwhile, the bonuses for city employees — plantilla, contract-of-service, or job-order — are also included in SB3. However, when asked about the amount of the bonuses, the councilor refused to divulge. She only mentioned that the Local Finance Committee would arrange the bonuses for the employees. She, however, assured that government employees would receive their bonuses within the month.
“Rest assured, naa na diha ang mga bonuses sa atoang [t will be there, the bonuses for the] job orders, contract of service, and plantilla personnel,” she said. RGP
